about the Vikhr

[Avimimus]

Copy that. Here's to a robust Mission editor! I imagine having a flank screen is something the mission builder will have to include? I like a tough mission where the outcome is never a sure thing. Why build a mission where you know you're going to win?

 

Three reasons:

1) Its more realistic

2) You can try to survive multiple missions instead of repeatedly dying on the same mission until you memorise it perfectly (cheating)

3) You can employ your weapons in relative peace and take a bit of time to actually enjoy it

 

I personally could never play OFP, as the default campaigns and 99% of missions required exploiting flaws in the game and playing like some kind of slightly more realistic rambo.

 

I can only guess that the gundhip attacks would have to be made at long range.

 

Technically, the gun equipped variants of the "Hip" (mi-8 ) ;) could theoretically engage five targets simultaneously. This should be fairly effective at suppressing manpads. At least in theory one could combine fixed forward firing PKs or gunpods, a flexible bow machinegun, a door gunner and two window port gunners). Is this correct?

Edited July 9, 2008 by Avimimus

[predaeus]

Three reasons:

2) You can try to survive multiple missions instead of repeatedly dying on the same mission until you memorise it perfectly (cheating)

3) You can employ your weapons in relative peace and take a bit of time to actually enjoy it

 

I second that.

 

Please somebody prevent us from missions where if you don't kill all of those 10 marked vehicles you loose the mission. I don't want to fly missions over and over again, just because the designer left no choice for 'failure'. The IL2 series had that flaw and that really ruined solo campaigning for me. I know that a dynamic campaign will not be available on release, but I am really looking forward to it, to finally perfect this sim.

 

Can the Vikhr be retargeted in flight?

[GGTharos]

The vikhr can be retargeted in flight, so long as you don't do it violently.

 

The campaign in DCS is not dynamic, but it is also not linear. Some missions might be tougher than others - good planning and tactics should prevent you from dying.

[Flyby]

guys,

I never mentioned a campaign. I'm talking about a COOP mission, or at least a single mission. If you don't win in a COOP or a good single mission it doesn't automatically follow that you (repeatedly) die. Who said that? Also, I think if the outcome is not a sure thing, that adds a bit of "tension" to it, which I find is an attractive quality that adds a bit more immersion and suspension of disbelief. I don't think knowing the outcome is more realistic either. I don't see the reason in that statement. Don't misunderstand me. I'm not dogging anyone who wants to fly offline or online campaigns that are win-able. There are no rules enforcing how easy or hard or deadly a campaign needs to be. Same with COOPs and single missions. I was only stating my preference. If I make 'em good enough to suit me, hopefully one will never look at any COOP or single mission with my name on it as a sure thing, piece of cake, walk in the part, etc. Rather it would be seen as fun! Maybe I'll even get a request for a "do-over

"! :D Variety is the spice of life.

Flyby out

[deviletk]

The mission editor has triggers as i read, and with that we can really make things random. I make missions in armed assault and using triggers to set off different attacks at random times and random places (but within an area that makes sense, like from what direction the attackers come from). You will never be able to memorize anything. Only that there will be a certain type of vehicles/infantry, but how many, from where and when...? Different everytime the same mission is started.

 

At least i hope this is what the triggers can do. If its anything like armed assault (VBS) then mission making is going to be very fun.

 

Alex

[Yellonet]

Another question on the in-game Vikhr.

 

The Vikhr has both a contact and a proximity fuse but I don't know how you the fuses are selected, do you switch to A2A mode and then the Vikhr uses the proximity fuse automatically or...? Will we at all be able to use both modes? It would matter a great deal. Proximity fuse used against a tank would likely not be very effective :) Against a chopper, truck or infantry it might do better.

[GGTharos]

There is a button on the left hand side panel that you push in; this causes the fuze on the Vikhr to be activated.

[Yellonet]

...so you don't manually select the type of fuse?

[GGTharos]

I'm sorry, I guess I wasn't very clear. Watch the Beach's latest video again :)

You manually select the type of fuze, and other parameters as well.

[Yellonet]

I must have missed that... thanks!

[Boberro]

But what are differences between AA and AG mode of Shkval? From where Shkval "knows" what it aims, so in Ground mode I can lock heli also, right?

[GGTharos]

There are no differences for the Shkval. All it does is track a target. The 'air' mode is strictly for setting the proximity fuze on the Vikhr.

[Flanker15]

In the vid he seemed to think that he messed up his AA vikhr shot by setting the aspect wrong. Is this correct an you set the aspect for the AA fuse?

[GGTharos]

Yeah, that basically sets the fuze delay, IIRC. If you set it wrong, the missile will detonate too late.

[Ryujin]

If anyone's interested, the Vikhr has a penetration ability of 900mm RHAe (says FAS.org). The M1A2 has a frontal turret value of 1,320 - 1,620 RHAe vs HEAT and the glacis 510 - 1,050mm, and the lower hull 800 - 970mm. So It won't Peirce the front of the turret and it might or might not Peirce the frontal hull. However side or rear hits should knock it out, if not destroy it. As far as 30mm vs top of the turret, I doubt it would penetrate, especially because of the angle (unless your firing nearly straight down). However, the M1 can find and engage moving choppers at 3km with the main gun and with thermal it can find you pretty far out, so its not a sitting duck (I hope that tanks fire at you in DCS, gives you something to do with that laser warning thingy).

[GGTharos]

They sure do. :D

 

(I hope that tanks fire at you in DCS, gives you something to do with that laser warning thingy).

[Yellonet]

They even do so in LOMAC

 

[sobek]

Does the M1 really have a proper chance of hitting a helo in flight and if so, is it part of american tank doctrine to engage helos with the main gun should the opportunity arise?

[GGTharos]

Think of it this way. Are you just going to sit there and let him shoot stuff at you?

 

To answer directly: Yes and yes.

[Yellonet]

If the helo is going straight, especially towards or away from the tank hitting should not be very difficult.

[sobek]

Think of it this way. Are you just going to sit there and let him shoot stuff at you?

 

To answer directly: Yes and yes.

 

Just hypothetical anyway, the BS has enough standoff capability to not have to do so

[GGTharos]

Yes, you are correct - but terrain here can screw you over.

[Flyby]

hold on a minit

 

This whole Vikhr thing is sounding like a bummer to me. Maybe I'm misunderstanding something, but it seems as if it's best to leave the M1 to the big dogs whom/whatever they may be. I'll just have to make sure that my COOPs an single missions have adequate oomph! to take on such targets (or maybe just take care of the M1's supply lines like fuel bowsers, etc, and leave them high and dry and sitting ducks). I'll think of sumptin. :D

Flyby out

[sobek]

Just came to my mind: Does the BS have the ability to paint targets for LGBs for example (of course the russian made ones)?

[GGTharos]

Not in DCS. The possibility -might- exist, given a switch I saw in the 'pit regarding other weapons, but if so, it isn't modeled. I've not actually heardof this being used in RL anyway.

 

flyby99, don't worry ... vikhrs are not impotent, you just need to understand what they can and cannot do and for -that- you'll have to wait for BS to be published, 'cause damage stuff is still being tuned :)